New Zealand plans logo-free cigarette packs

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand's government wants to get even tougher against smoking by making tobacco companies remove their logos from cigarette packs.

The country already has become one of the strictest anti-smoking countries by increasing taxes and making retailers hide packs below the counter.

The new plain-packaging legislation would be similar to an Australian law that took effect in December. But Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia says New Zealand will wait until a trade challenge in Australia plays out before introducing the new law.

That would be next year at the earliest. Tobacco companies oppose packaging changes but lost a legal challenge in Australia's highest court last year.

Some tobacco-growing countries have mounted another challenge through the World Trade Organization.